David Grimes

Permanent Representative of Canada with WMO and WMO President (2011-2019)

David Grimes served as Canada's Permanent Representative to the WMO from 2006 to 2019 and was President of the World Meteorological Congress from 2011 to 2019. 

Some of Mr Grimes' most notable achievements at WMO include: 

  • The establishment of the WMO Executive Council Expert Panel on Polar High Mountain Observation Research and Services 

  • The establishment of the WMO Executive Council Panel of Experts on Education and Training 

  • The establishment of the Global Cryosphere Watch (GCW), an international mechanism for supporting all key cryospheric in situ and remote sensing observations to meet the needs of WMO Members and partners in delivering services to users, the media, public, decision- and policy-makers

  • The establishment of the Intergovernmental Board on Climate Services (IBCS), the main governing body of Global Framework for Climate Services (GFCS)

  • The Year of Polar Prediction (YOPP) as the flagship activity of the Polar Prediction Project (PPP), a 10-year (2013–2022) WMO World Weather Research Programme endeavour

  • The WMO Special Dialogue on the Complementary and Cooperative Contributions of Public and Private Sector Institutions to Meteorology and Hydrology

  • The Pan Arctic Climate Outlook Forum (PARCOF) as a flagship activity of the Arctic Regional Climate Centre Network to meet the Arctic adaptation and decision-making needs. 

In 2020, Mr Grimes was named as a Member of the Order of Canada for his “outstanding leadership in meteorology and for his pioneering development of a global strategy on climate change and disaster-risk preparedness.” The Order of Canada is one of Canada’s top civilian honours. Its iconic snowflake is a fitting tribute to Mr Grimes commitment to the cryosphere and to increasing observations and forecasts in Polar regions as well as the impact of climate change on the Arctic. 

WMO has also recognized Mr Grimes with its own top honor – the IMO Prize – for his outstanding contribution to meteorology. He will deliver a scientific lecture at the WMO Executive Council in 2021. 

Mr Grimes, a Brock University graduate, was Assistant Deputy Minister and head of Environment and Climate Change Canada's Meteorological Service from 2006-2019. His leadership resulted in its transformation and modernization, including a realization of substantial investments into the Service. Over his 40-year career with the Meteorological Service his accomplishments – in weather forecast operations, the Canadian Climate Centre and science-policy development – were many.  He is recognized for his strategic and innovative thinking, effective problem-solving and engaging leadership style.

Throughout his career, Mr Grimes has been supported by his dedicated, lifelong companion Karen, his three children, Chris, Allison and Kim, and three lovely grandchildren.  Exercising a passion for science and enjoying a loving family coalesce into to a meaningful and fulfilling life experience. 

A man in a suit standing in front of a window with mountains in the background.